VALENCIA – An intense hail storm hit the provinces of Valencia and Albacete on Sunday, with Requena (Valencia) and Villatoya (Albacete) as the main epicentres of the damage.
The storm, which had already been warned by several weather services, caused serious traffic problems and significant damage to crops and property. Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms had been issued in inland regions of Valencia. However, the impact of the hail storm was exceptionally heavy. The A-3 highway at Requena was completely covered in ice balls which led to many problems and traffic chaos.
Images of chaos and hailstones
Several videos were shared on social media throughout the afternoon showing the chaos and size of the hail. They showed images of the size of the hailstones, of just a faint white world without end or beginning and a video of the chaos caused by the hailstorm on the N322 national road.
¡Brutal! Una auténtica barbaridad. Esta tarde (17/09/2023), #granizada severa en #Villatoya (#Albacete). Entorno del Valle del #RíoCabriel, en el límite con la provincia de #Valencia. Vehículos parados en la Carretera Nacional 322. Vídeo: Víctor García, vía @MeteoHellin. pic.twitter.com/pB8UmX0vSP
— MeteOrihuela (@MeteOrihuela) September 17, 2023
Concerns about the impact of hail on vineyards
The Valencian Farmers’ Association took to Twitter to express concern about the impact of the hail, particularly on the vineyards. Moreover, hundreds of hectares of vineyards in the region are on the eve of the grape harvest and could be destroyed by the natural disaster.
Nos llegan estas imágenes del término de Requena. Parece el fin del mundo. Son cientos de hectáreas de viñas arrasadas ante la vendimia. Mañana evaluaremos el alcance de los daños. pic.twitter.com/Gb18RTFkNm
— Associació Valenciana d'Agricultors (@ava_asaja) September 17, 2023
Hail the size of ping pong balls
Albacete was also not spared. In the area around Villatoya, cars, buildings and streets were covered by hailstones. These fell in just a few minutes and were the size of ping pong balls. Although the image was reminiscent of a winter setting, this was a summer hail storm moving northeast at more than 50 km/h.
New DANA
Furthermore, meteorologists warn that the severe weather will continue. A new DANA (isolated low-pressure area over warm seawater) is expected later this week. It will bring more precipitation, especially in the Mediterranean and the Balearic Islands.
Nos llegan estas imágenes del término de Requena. Parece el fin del mundo. Son cientos de hectáreas de viñas arrasadas ante la vendimia. Mañana evaluaremos el alcance de los daños. pic.twitter.com/Gb18RTFkNm
— Associació Valenciana d'Agricultors (@ava_asaja) September 17, 2023
